AJ Srubas is a twin cities based fiddler specializing in old time, bluegrass, Cajun, and country music.
AJ picked up a fiddle at age 10 and hasn’t put it down since, though in his spare time he has been known to play some steel guitar, too. You can read more about his musical background here. He performs and teaches both as an individual and with a number of regional and nationally touring projects and enjoys doing session work on fiddle and steel when able. More on musical projects, lessons, workshops, and studio/session work below.
“AJ’s fiddle playing is exquisite – so precise and detailed.”
— Old Time News (UK)
upcoming shows
-
Steam Machine
May 23-25 | Dancing Bears Weekend - Anchorage, AK
-
AJ & Rina
June 2-7 | Montana Fiddle Camp | Monarch, MT
-
Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
June 14 - 18 | PNW Tour (Vancouver, Bellingham, Seattle, Olympia) | more info here
-
Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
June 19-21 | Cowichan Bluegrass Festival | Victoria, BC
-
Steam Machine
June 26-28 | Indiana Fiddlers Gathering | Battleground, IN
-
Steam Machine
July 11 | Littlestock | Manawa, WI
Solo fiddle album coming out September 2026 on Common Loon Records
I’m excited to announce that my first solo fiddle album will be coming out this September on Common Loon Records!
With the support of a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board I was able to bring a powerhouse lineup of pickers up to Minnesota to back me up on this project, featuring Reed Stutz on mandolin, Trevor Holder on banjo, Conner Vlietsta on guitar, and Rina Rossi on bass. We went over to Tom Herbers studio and sent 14 of my favorite fiddle tunes into an old RCA 44 straight to tape. I’m excited for you to hear them!
Thanks to the folks over at Common Loon Records for taking this on! Keep an eye on my socials and website for the first single and pre-orders for both CD and vinyl coming soon!
To stay up to date on album release news, sign up for the mailing list below!
bands/projects
AJ + Rina
old time fiddle tunes + songs
old time duets, instrumental and vocal
Steam Machine
old-time & bluegrass
fiddle forward old time bluegrass music
Old Fashioned Aces
cajun music
comfort food for the Cajun music fan, from old fiddle tunes to classic dance floor packers to bilingual country classics.
Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee
classic bluegrass/oldtime/early country
fiddle work on various projects including Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
Half Baked
bluegrass
Half Baked began when the backing band for a Kenny Baker tribute show had a little too much fun together. It’s evolving into…well, we’ll just have to see where it goes!
Pop Wagner’s Honky Tonk Ranch
country
early country & country originals and covers with Twin Cities legend Pop Wagner
lessons | workshops | teaching
AJ has been teaching fiddle for over 10 years in settings including:
one-on-one lessons for adults and older youth interested in learning fiddle technique, styles, and deeper history and context of old time & bluegrass music, with a specific focus on Missouri Valley, Illinois, and midwest fiddle repertoire and styles. in person (twin cities area) or virtual from wherever you are
workshops at festivals and events in old-time, bluegrass, and Cajun fiddle styles and technique
old time fiddle camps for adults and youth
Interested in connecting about lessons/worskhops? click below for contact form.
tracking / recording fiddle & steel
Looking for some fiddle or steel on your next record? Get in touch HERE. AJ does most tracking from his home studio and can send it to you wherever you are.